Chain-snap.



No. 856,606. PATENTED JUNE 11, 1907. P. J. SGANLON.

CHAIN SNAP.

APPLICATION mum nov. so, 1900.

WITNESSES i j: IINVENTOI? TATE: czjjlfiammlm, 6M Q. mat W mm E NTTE STATES V PATENT QEETCE.

CHAIN-SNAP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 11, 1907.

Application filed November 26, 1906. Serial No. 345,022.

To 117/ whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that l, PATRICK J. SCANLON, a citizen of the United States, residing at New ark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Chain-Snaps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of snaps or catches which are employed to detachably connect the ends of chains used to suspend lockets or similar articles of ewelry around the neck of the wearer, and the objccts of the present improvements are to secure a more positive connection, and one which shall be less liable to become inadvertently unfastened, so that the ewelry may be lost; to this end. to secure a construction. in which the strain shall be at right angles or perpendicular to the holding part: to obviate liability of the finger piece being broken off by usage of the device; to secure a neat and pleasing construction in appearance, and to obtain other advantages and results as may be brought out in the following description.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in each of the several drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the oppo'site ends of a chain connected by my improved snap; Fig. 2 shows the tongue member of my snap in side elevation, and Fig. 3 is a similar view of the hollow or socket member with its walls partly broken away; Figs. 4, 5, and 6 illustrate in section, different steps in the stamping of a certain integral projection upon the tongue member, and Fig. 7 shows in side and end view, a certain reinforcing or filling piece for said projection.

In said drawings, 1 indicates the socket member of my improved snap, which is preferably formed of tubing with a rectangular or square cross section, one end being closed, as at 2, and provided with a ring 3 to which the links 4 of the adjacent chain end may be fastened. The opposite end 5 of the member 1 is open to receive the other or tongue member 6, and which comprises a resilient strip of metal folded or bent into V-shape and adapted to be thrust into the hollow member 1, so that the opposite side pieces 7, 8 of said V- shaped portion lie near their outer ends against two opposite interior walls of the socket member. Normally the said side pieces 7 8 stand farther apart than the width of the chamber of the socket member, and thus when the tongue member 6 is crowded into the socket member, its said side pieces are resiliently and positively pressed against the walls of the socket member.

()ne of the side pieces, as 7, of the tongue member is provided at its outer end with a ring or eye 9 adapted to receive the links of the adjacent chain end 10. The other side piece 8 has near its outer end, and still at a point adapted to lie within the socket member, a projection 11 on its outer side or side away from the other arm 7, and which projection is adapted to enter one or the other of the apertures 12, 13 in the side walls of the socket member. Obviously, it is not necessary to employ more than one of these apertures, but for greater convenience I prefer to have two, as shown, so that whichever way the tongue member be inserted it will enter into holding engagement. This projection 11 is stamped or pressed up from the tongue member 6, and the manner of its construction, which will next be described, is a feature of my invention. I first stamp up a projection 14, as shown in Fig. 4, and by means of suitable tools, to a height which is only part that of the finished projection 11, a corresponding recess 15 being formed by this operation in the opposite face of the tongue. I then place in the said recess, a reinforcing or filling piece 16, as shown in Fig. 5, and then submit the whole to a second stamping operation, so that the filling piece 16 is driven down flush with the rear surface of the tongue, and the projection 11 formed in its full proportions. The projection thus formed is not only of a very neat and pleasing appearance, but is also strong and not likely to be torn or detached from the tongue.

The tongue member has its side piece 8 provided at its outer end beyond the projection 11 with a finger piece 17 by which the said side piece 8 can be pressed downward to detach its projection 11 from the aperture 12 of the socket member, and so separate the two members in detaching the chain or piece of jewelry. This finger piece 17 is of the full thickness of the tongue, even at its bend 18, and thus it is strong, so that there is no danger of bending or breaking. hen the two members are connected, the projection 11. lies in the aperture of the socket member flush at its outer end with the outside wall of said member, and obviously no amount of strain will tend to cause said projection to leave its seat. A very secure and safe fastening is thus provided.

' I claim as new is;

Having thus described my invention, What a sheet metal strip adapted to lie resiliently against the inner Wall of said socket, said strip having a hollow, integral lateral projection adapted to enter the aperture of the socket member, and a finger piece at its end, a reinforcing or filling piece in said hollow projection, and means for attaching a chain to said members.

PATRICK J. SCANLON. In the presence of FREDERICK GERMANN, Jr., ETI-IEL B REED.

1. The herein described snap, comprising in combination a socket member having a lat eral aperture, a resilient tongue member adapted to enter said socket and having ahOl'lOVV lateral projection to snap into said aperture, and a reinforcing plug in said hollOW projection.

2. In a chain snap, the combination of a socket member having an aperture through its side Wall, and a tongue member providing 

